Sixth test flight of the largest rocket to ever fly will feature another attempt at catching the Super Heavy booster and returning it to the launchpad.
During the previous test flight of Starship, SpaceX caught the Super Heavy booster in midair using a pair of metal ‘chopstick’ arms. [Courtesy: SpaceX]
Key Takeaways:
SpaceX's sixth Starship test flight is scheduled for November 18, aiming to repeat the successful "chopstick" catch of the Super Heavy booster achieved in the previous mission, which demonstrated unprecedented reusability.
Flight 6 will also test new capabilities for the Starship upper stage, including an in-space engine burn for future deorbit demonstrations and evaluation of new heat shield configurations.
These tests are crucial for Starship's development towards reducing launch turnaround times and enabling future lunar landings, such as NASA's Artemis III mission, despite ongoing friction between SpaceX and the FAA over regulatory approvals.
The sixth test flight of Starship—the largest and most powerful rocket to ever fly—will launch no earlier than 5 p.m. EST on Monday, November 18, SpaceX said Wednesday.
The previous test flight of Starship, which SpaceX also refers to simply as “Ship,” and the Super Heavy booster resulted in the unprecedented catch of Super Heavy using a pair of metal “chopstick” arms.
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Jack is a staff writer covering advanced air mobility, including everything from drones to unmanned aircraft systems to space travel—and a whole lot more. He spent close to two years reporting on drone delivery for FreightWaves, covering the biggest news and developments in the space and connecting with industry executives and experts. Jack is also a basketball aficionado, a frequent traveler and a lover of all things logistics.
